Books and Manuscripts

No place (but likely New York City), ca. 1906. Original pen, ink, and watercolor illustration mounted to board, signed by Harrison Cady at bottom left. It was first published in Frances Hodgson Burnett's Racketty-Packetty House (New York: The Century Co., 1906), as well as in St. Nicholas Magazine (January 1907). 13 x 9 1/2 in. (330 x 241 mm). Original Century Co. label on verso. Very light foxing to top corners; in frame, 20 1/2 x 17 in. (521 x 432 mm)

Cady later recalled meeting Burnett in his autobiography, O Rare Harrison Cady (Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museums, 2005), "One day a friend invited me to the St. Nicholas office and asked whether I'd like to illustrate four books by Frances Hodgson Burnett" including "The Racketty Packetty...Her summons was a commission hardly to be refused, and I accepted on the spot...She was a short, plump lady of great animation...she acted out the characters...she ran around the large room, flapping her arms in the best rookish manner. When she finished we applauded, and she was pleased. Later she gave me instructions on the illustrations I was to do. A memorable afternoon..." (p. 57)